Mechanisms Underlying Basal Ganglia Function and Dysfunction

Conference Description

The basal ganglia are a richly interconnected group of subcortical brain nuclei that are critical for the motivation, selection, initiation and execution of actions. Consistent with these roles, dysfunction of the basal ganglia is linked to a range of debilitating disorders including Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, dystonia, addiction, obsessive compulsive disorder and Tourette's syndrome. With recent technical advances in our ability to observe and perturb molecules, neurons, and astrocytes, together with increasingly powerful molecular and genetic interrogation approaches, our views of basal ganglia circuits and their contribution to brain function and dysfunction are evolving rapidly. Furthermore, the unprecedented streams of data arising from these approaches are revealing properties and mechanisms that could be targeted for therapeutic benefit. This conference will bring together basic, clinical and translational scientists with diverse perspectives and technical expertise from across the world to discuss their latest discoveries and to promote community interaction and collaboration. Besides addressing long-standing basal ganglia research questions, the 2018 meeting will incorporate subjects that have previously received little attention including basal ganglia development, interactions of the basal ganglia with the wider motor system, the striosome/patch compartment, involvement of the basal ganglia in neuropsychiatric disorders, and basal ganglia connectomics.

Related Meeting

This GRC will be held in conjunction with the "Basal Ganglia (GRS)" Gordon Research Seminar (GRS). Those interested in attending both meetings must submit an application for the GRS in addition to an application for the GRC. Refer to the associated GRS program page for more information.

Power HourThe GRC Power Hour is an optional informal gathering open to all meeting participants. It is designed to help address the challenges women face in science and support the professional growth of women in our communities by providing an open forum for discussion and mentoring.

Contributors

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) of the National Institutes of Health under award number R13NS105169. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.